Adult Ed. Director Sharman Speiser congratulates a GED graduate in June 2012. By Tara Cavanaugh Starting over: the idea carries a certain romantic stigma. It’s the idea of moving someplace new, of beginning a more satisfying career, of being fresh and full of promise and …

Retiring TA Ann Mooney at her retirement celebration Dec. 19. After 15 years, TA Ann Mooney is retiring from the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Mooney worked half-time first at Haisley and then at Lawton Elementary. A social worker, she spent much of her time in …

Pioneer Community Assistant Taryn Reid started a holiday gift basket program last year, reaching 15 families. This season, food is going to 27 families. By Tara Cavanaugh Thanks to the collaboration of staff, parents and students at Pioneer High School, 27 families are getting a …

Plenty of hands were involved in distributing the Magic of Christmas Adopt a Family Foundation’s gifts before custodian Gennifer Mason unloaded them at Tappan Middle School Monday morning. Principals and social workers identified families in need; volunteers donated money, shopped and wrapped; district officials helped …

The Forsythe KMO Club, which recently won their second consecutive state championship in the Knowledge Master Open, had a visit from a celebrity on Dec. 11. Stephanie Jass, the all-time women’s champion of the quiz show Jeopardy!, attended the club meeting, answered questions, signed autographs, …

By Tara Cavanaugh In just eight weeks, a group of second and third graders at Allen Elementary have improved their reading skills by one or two levels. These students were having a hard time with reading, but now they seem to love it. So what …

Photos provided by Charles Davis. Carpenter Elementary students were treated to a Detroit Red Wings assembly Dec. 6. During the high-energy, interactive assembly, Red Wings representatives taught students about the importance of exercise and good nutrition –– and they passed out all sorts of goodies.

Cindy Leaman, currently the principal of Clague Middle School, speaks at Clague’s 40th Anniversary celebration last month. Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patricia P. Green is pleased to announce that Cindy Leaman has been named the new Principal at Pioneer High School. Ms. Leaman …

Now all classrooms in the district have new recycling collection boxes, thanks to a partnership between the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the City of Ann Arbor and the nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor. The last school-wide distribution of recycling collection boxes happened over a decade ago. …

“Would you be so kind as to donate to the people who have lost their homes to Hurricane Sandy?” That’s how Devon, a Haisley Elementary fourth grader, started his pitch to each classroom in his school. Devon, along with the help of his mom Lee-Anne, …

Mitchell third grade teacher Beth McCready leads her students through a morning meeting, one of the many components of the Responsive Classroom approach. By Tara Cavanaugh Sometimes, a few small changes can make a big difference. That’s what Mitchell Elementary and Scarlett Middle schools are …